How to sell handmade or unique items online – set up and open an ETSY store!

• Sign up for an Etsy account: To start an Etsy store, you’ll need to create an account on the Etsy website. Go to www.etsy.com and click “register” in the top right corner. Fill out the form to create your account.
• Set up your seller profile: After you’ve created an account, you’ll need to set up your seller profile. This includes adding your name, location, and any other information you’d like to share about yourself or your business. You’ll also be able to upload a profile picture and banner image.
• Choose a shop name: Your shop name will be displayed on your shop’s homepage and on all of your listings. Choose a name that reflects the items you’ll be selling and is easy to remember

• Set up your payment methods: Etsy allows you to accept payments through PayPal or by credit card. You’ll need to set up at least one of these payment methods in order to start selling on the platform.
• Create your first listing: To create a listing, click the “Sell on Etsy” button in the top right corner of the homepage and then click “Create a new listing.” From there, you’ll be able to add photos, a description, and other details about your item. You’ll also be able to set the price, choose a category for your item, and add tags to help customers find your listing.
• Set your shipping and tax preferences: You’ll need to specify how you plan to ship your items and whether you’ll be charging sales tax. Etsy provides tools to help you calculate shipping costs based on the weight and size of your items.
• Promote your shop: Once your shop is set up and you’ve added your first listing, it’s time to start promoting your shop. You can use social media, email marketing, and other tactics to let people know about your shop and drive traffic to your listings.

Etsy has more than 81.9 million active buyers, making it a great place to sell your handmade or vintage items. Buyers come to Etsy seeking specific handmade items, so you already have a built-in audience. Listing your products on Etsy will allow you to potentially get sales from organic search traffic on the Etsy homepage.

Opening an Etsy shop is easy and only takes a few minutes. They have a step-by-step guide for shop owners that explains the process. In addition, it’s free to open a basic shop on Etsy. While premium features are available for an additional charge, they’re not necessary to start an Etsy shop. Etsy’s Seller Handbook answers almost any question about selling on Etsy, including information about legal, shipping, taxes, and finances.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to opening and running a successful Etsy store. Good luck!